---
title: "Change data type"
canonical: "https://docs.perspectium.com/space/helium/2113649/Change%20data%20type"
format: markdown
---
To ensure multibyte or foreign characters are saved properly for string column types, the Agent creates column types that can store unicode string data such as NVARCHAR (MySQL, MS SQL Server, etc). You can use other data types other than N type fields by editing the  databases.xml. Prerequisites    Request the  databases.xml  file for your DataSync Agent by contacting  Perspectium Support . Procedure To change the data types in the  databases.xml , complete the following steps: